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28 September 2009 ~ 20 Comments

REVIEW: Weil Baby Products

{ disclosure : samples received and coupons for free products were given to guests }

weil

This past weekend I hosted a Dr. Andrew Weil Baby House Party with some of my pregger and mommy friends. With all the hype over the BPA controversy — which I hope isn’t a controversy anymore — I was shocked to find out that many new, first time moms and mommies-to-be had no idea about the dangers of BPA! Yes, I was even disappointed in myself, being their friend, not bringing it up sooner amongst all our talks about breastfeeding and getting ready for baby… how did the topic of BPA slip us?

I then slyly asked, so why did you want to come to my party if not to learn about the BPA-Free line of products… they answered… you throw awesome parties… you always giveaway free stuff… who doesn’t love free stuff?! I have to love the honesty of my friends. They did also say that it looked like they were going to get some really cool looking bottles to try. They were not disappointed.

I was definitely intrigued for my own knowledge to know what set this line apart for the bevy of baby bottles available out there. With the name Dr. Andrew Weil attached to it nonetheless. This man proved to be my lifesaver during this pregnancy when I was diagnosed with a severe case of pregnancy eczema. I wanted to tear the skin off my entire body, but mostly I was concerned with my face. In a desperate attempt to stop scratching I indulged in a FREE Origins Facial and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Plantidote line gave me some much needed relief — I was hooked! So I asked Dr. Weil, what is this you’re doing for my unborn son?! Forgetting about the snazzy modern design, it’s a new line of BPA Free Feeding Tools in both Tritan and Glass! Also noted was that all parts are engineered, tested and manufactured in the USA to ensure they meet the strictest quality control standards.

Since breastfeeding has been a major topic, they were all happy to see that this system strongly supports breastfeeding first, and the line as a support. The AirWave vent system effectively works to reduce colic, for some of us repeat moms, that was a concern.

One mom commented on the soft nipple, her having a newborn that was so incredibly picky with nipples, she felt it would pass the test. Another mom raved about the wide neck which allowed for easy cleaning. A couple of times it was said how very NY or Metro the design was. We could see the Bugaboo mom’s toting these bottles around the city.

I was more partial to the glass bottle since I’m leaning towards using glass, but the Tritan bottles were beautiful and many noted not the fuzzy unclear BPA-free bottles too. What is Tritan you ask? It is a plastic made from copolyester. It is BPA-free, Recycle Resin #7, impact and shatter resistant, dishwasher safe and able to be sterilized. Some plastics with a No. 7 code are polycarbonates, which do contain BPA, yet there are many plastics in the category that do not contain BPA, including Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. It claims not to retain flavors from previous containments ensuring a fresh expected taste experience.

Another warm-fuzzy feeling thing about Dr. Weil Baby is that all of the products and packaging are recyclable to reduce the carbon footprint. We’re particularly digging the biodegradable Biomax insert that breaks down in water!

As some mom’s couldn’t make the party, that means a coup for you guys! I’m giving away 3 coupons for a FREE Dr. Andrew Weil Baby Bottle (5oz or 9oz Tritan Tritan- your choice up to $8.99 value) to (1) lucky winner. To ENTER, from now until October 12th, leave a comment with your SAGE advice for a new mom and you’ll have a chance to win the Weil Baby Prize Pack. Get up to (two) bonus entry if you follow me on twitter @greenbaby_nyc and re-tweet this giveaway as well as becoming a fan on Facebook. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway ends on October 12th, 2009 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

For my TWITTER friends, a bonus contest for the 15th Tweet of this contest, you’ll win (1) coupon for a FREE Dr. Andrew Weil Baby Bottle (5oz or 90z Tritan – your choice, up to $8.99 value). (One) entry per twitter account, per day. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses.

If you can’t wait to see if you’re a winner, you can download a generous $5 coupon off a $15 Weil Baby purchase at Babies R Us.

13 September 2009 ~ 0 Comments

A few constants

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There are a few constants that you know just always will be. Things like how much you’ll always love your children or how you’ll always forget one thing during your vacation packing and $20 will always be $20. One thing that I can count on with Ava and my nephew is that their love for bubbles will never wane. They jump for joy for bubbles at school, at birthday parties and go nuts when we’re outdoors for them. I have found myself wandering Target, Toys R Us and drugstore’s on more than several occasions this year looking for bubble solution, or even worse, more bubble paraphernalia to play with. What I was shocked by was the prices for bubble solution, something I assumed was nothing more than a concoction of dish soap watered down, was sometimes as high as $10 a bottle, a somewhat large bottle, but not worth $10!

As you can imagine the grand bubble exhibits at the children’s museum is a huge, huge hit and often we have to strategically maneuver ourselves around the exhibit leaving it for last otherwise it’d be the only exhibit we visit. Most recently, after taking Ava to a class there, the museum guide in the bubble exhibit gave me their “secret” recipe for perfect bubble solution. So save those gallon milk jugs and add:

1 gallon of water
2/3 cup Dawn or Joy dishwashing liquid
3/4 tablespoons of glycerin (available at your pharmacy counter in liquid form)

Mix the dishwashing liquid into the water, add the glycerin, mix and play!

ECO|NOTE: Now the greener side of me urges a substitution of Dawn or Joy for something like Method or Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear. You’ll have to add a little more than 2/3 cups of dishwashing liquid, but add slowly until you get the right consistency.

23 July 2009 ~ 0 Comments

Savings where you can get it…

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As many know, one of my favorite products is California Baby’s Super Sensitive Shampoo & Body Wash for it’s 0-1 toxicity rating. While many agree it’s a wonderful product, we’ve all had a little sticker shock (and rising cost) at the register. My. $8.99 bottle went up to $9.99 the last time I was in Target. I was thrilled to discover they now sell refills by the half gallon and gallon. The gallon is the best value at $126 and change. It fills 15 bottles, saving you over $30 retail and also is great for the environment. Since I’ve got another bun in the oven and a lifetime of use still, it’s a worthy investment. Check out this item and other California Baby items sold in bulk on their website at: www.californiababy.com. All orders over $120 get free shipping as well.

15 June 2009 ~ 0 Comments

Kid's Restaurant Week

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Have you been feeling a little uncool, out of the loop ever since you became a parent? Yea, me too. No more am I the in-the-know on the latest, greatest and newest restaurants in ever so hip NYC. Unfortunately my only association with any culinary delights is an indulgence in the late night TV of the Food Network. Thank God for Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence and friends! I dream of being a gourmet chef and every once in a while if I fancy a trip into the city’s many architecturally beautiful culinary sites, I get to pretend. Not to mention I fear becoming that uncool parent… so happily I squeal with delight in Cookie & Gourmet Magazine’s Kid Restaurant Week. Starting June 20-28th in NYC, some of my favorite spots including BLT Fish have opened up their doors at a kid-friendly time of 5-7pm with special menus priced for this economy – kids pay their age! Time to test their grown-up manners, Parents get to indulge in adult fares that don’t include chicken nuggets or mac and cheese (unless its got lobster or truffles in it) while their kids enjoy a taste of the good life Mom & Dad use to live once upon a time… Another reason to indulge is proceeds are given to local charities… check it out!

13 June 2009 ~ 0 Comments

Neurotic as Ever! – My Baby #2 Wish List

deals epiphanies moments parenting review

Of course I should be studying, instead I’m thinking about all the new baby stuff I want to get now that I am finally pregnant. I’m analyzing everything from all the latest BPA free bottles on the market – debating glass or plastic. Trying to wean what lessons I can from my breastfeeding experience and how I can improve on it this second time around. Doing the cloth diaper debate in my head. Just like my old feeding sampler set, I wish there was a cloth diaper sampler set. Buying each set just to “TRY OUT” just doesn’t seem economical at the prices they’re asking. Anyone have any comments on the new Bambino Mio system? I like the 200 flushable disposable inserts for $13. It lies on top of their cloth diapers to collect “solids” for tossing into toilet – genius! I guess once my exams are over I’ll have to pop over to Giggle and check them out. I really do love the Apple Cheek covers though and I’m hoping either the G-diaper inserts will fit… or these fab MIO inserts will work with any cloth diapering system. It would be a perfect compromise for a mom who’s always on the go.

I’m definitely leaning towards using the WeeGo baby bottles now that the BPA controversy is settled. I can’t seem to stomach microwaving plastic to sterilize, even if it is BPA-free. Granted the bottles on my retail site were all staples in our home when Ava was bottle fed. I have to admit I didn’t even know about BPA until Ava was about 2 months old. When I had to return to work 8 weeks after she was born, we had an incredibly difficult time getting her to bottle feed. After trying every bottle at Babies R Us, she of course liked the most expensive of the bunch at the time, Dr. Brown (which does have a BPA-free version now). I remember them being such a pain in the ass to clean, too many parts. It was the bottle of choice though and we went with it. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I must have microwaved the bottles or even heated it in hot water. I don’t even want to know how much damage I might have done with the BPA bottles. One mom clued me into the BPA issue and I was horrified. I started hunting for BPA-free alternatives immediately and one thing led to another and that’s how GREENBABY-NYC was born. We first used the Adiri bottles. I of course, a design buff, loved it’s non-traditional and funky design. Plus they claimed to be most like breast, perfect for a breastfeeding mom, I now know they all claim to be most like breasts. Unfortunately although they were much loved, our grandmother-aged, non-english speaking nanny could not figure out the bottles for the life of her. I also didn’t have the language capacity to explain to her correctly how to heat, clean, sterilize and fill the bottles. So we moved onto ThinkBaby which became her bottle of choice and used Green to Grow Regular bottles when I pumped. It was a perfect balance and my nanny appreciated a more “traditional” bottle.

Now with Baby #2 on the way, and all the bevy of new bottles on the market, I’m reexamining my options and wondering which one will fit best with our lifestyle. Of course the other question looming in the back of my mind, are we having a BOY or a GIRL!? I’m just dying to know!!! I know it will be several more weeks but I can’t wait… it will definitely make shopping more fun.

I’m also eying the new Medela breastpump – the Freestyle. Not that mine is in bad shape, although it’s definitely gotten more than it’s value in usage, I think I deserve a new one. I am such a sucker for technology and product improvements. I’m totally digging it’s much more portable size and it’s digital readouts.

Another toy I want! The Itzabeen timer. I’ve been wanting one since it came out. I remember carrying around my little notebook like a crazy woman, charting every pee, poop and feeding. I’m hoping this little gadget will make me a little less uptight, although I’m sure DH is thinking probably not. I do think I am more relaxed this time around. I think once you’ve gotten one successful pregnancy under your belt, you feel almost like a pro. I know sometimes it’s not a good thing and I do have to really think about unnecessary risks. Like that sneaked bited of DH’s rare prime rib the other night — tsk tsk tsk! It tasted amazing! This pregnancy was so unexpected, I really hadn’t had a chance to do my last rounds of sushi and steak , both of which I will miss DEARLY! I like my steak RARE, really there isn’t any other way to eat it in my opinion. When it’s cooked — why bother?! So buh-bye steak! I think this time my after-birth meal request will be a nice big fat prime rib medium rare. With Ava it was a tray of sashimi — scrumptious!

18 September 2008 ~ 0 Comments

PRICE INCREASE ALERT!

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Green to Grow has just announced price increases across the board for all their products. At least now there is no price difference between regular and wide neck bottles. For those pumping moms, these bottles fit the Medela breastpumps. From now until October 31st, save 20% on all Green to Grow products using code GG20.